Gold Coast Titans to launch 2015 NRL season

[DIEHARD]

Gold Coast Titans to launch NRL season on Thursday despite lingering drugs scandal

THE Gold Coast Titans’ season launch will go ahead this week despite the lingering drugs scandal that’s clouded the club’s future.

The Bulletin can reveal Titans powerbrokers discussed cancelling Thursday’s function after five players were charged with allegedly supplying cocaine.

With Greg Bird, Dave Taylor, Beau Falloon, Jamie Dowling and Kalifa Faifai Loa already being stood down, the Titans were unsure whether more players were set to be charged.

But their fears have been *allayed with information the Crime and Corruption Commission doesn’t plan to charge any more Titans players.

The Titans will officially launch their 2015 season at Jupiters Casino on Thursday and while the mood may be sombre, the club is hoping to find some normality after what’s been a horror few days.

Coach Neil Henry said the club was full of “resilient” people who had overcome many setbacks and they were determined to fight through this.

“It’s pretty positive,” he said of the team’s mood.

“They’re pretty resilient.

“The boys can only control what they can control and that’s their attitude with training and getting their preparation done for round one.

“While we’ve got concerns for the players that aren’t with us and we’re conscious of their welfare as well, they are teammates, we’ll hopefully get a resolution to this fairly quickly.”

State of Origin duo Bird and Taylor are massive losses for the team given they won’t play in the Round 1 match against Wests Tigers on Saturday week.

Henry said the scandal was a disruption to the team’s preparations and he wasn’t sure how much it would affect their performances.

“Time will tell. There’s no doubt it’s a disruption,” he said.

“There’s some experience and quality about the players missing at the moment but we’ll just have to cope with that.”

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/

[Bayside Titan]

Anyone going tonight. I'm heading there. Keen to meet anyone off here.

[DIEHARD]

Anyone going tonight. I'm heading there. Keen to meet anyone off here.

Nope, obviously. But have fun to anyone going. You are witnessing a new era. Soak it up and let us know how it goes.

[Titan4Life]

Just heard on the news there might be a major announcement at the launch tonight. Praying for news that DCE signed or that we have a major sponsor but it will probably end up being nothing.

[Titan4Life]

People asked for it and it will happen.

@TonyWebeck: Titans announce that they will donate front of jersey branding to Ronald McDonald House until naming rights sponsor is found.

[Toads]

Good to see the Charity thing get up in the meantime. Pretty worthy charity at that.

[Show and Go]

An excellent move. I hope it helps with our fight to get the GC community back on our side.

[lonegull]

Great work by the Titans should finally get some positive media for donating the front of the Jersey, plus Ronald McDonald house is a great charity organisation, I am and my family are very proud Titans members tonight

[5 Year Contract]

another great move by the club. Lets keep this positivity rolling and we will get our major sponsor in no time

[DIEHARD]

Delighted to hear this news. Can't wait to see a picture of the logo on the jersey.

[Bayside Titan]

It was a really great night. Talking to players , coach and staff everyone was really upbeat despite the week that they have had.

[Titanic]

Fantastic initiative and about bloody time ... a pity they have to admit defeat and although I admit that Annesley has excelled himself spinning the drug scare that still doesn't excuse the litany of fails under his watch.